Announcements

The Seasonal Preserve Assistant will conduct various stewardship and ecological monitoring activities on the Brown Ranch and Pigeon Point Preserves in North Dakota. She/he will live at the Brown Ranch but may travel to other North Dakota preserves. The Preserve Assistant’s primary responsibilities will include but may not be limited to: prescribed burning, fence construction, noxious weed control and monitoring control efforts, assisting with the collection of ecological monitoring data, assisting with firebreak preparation, and maintenance of preserve facilities and equipment. The Seasonal Preserve Assistants supervise no staff and are supervised by the Sheyenne Delta Land Steward.

HOW TO APPLY

For additional information about and to apply to this position, click HERE. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 5, 2015.

The Inventory Reporting and Mapping Team of the Resource Monitoring and Assessment Program anticipates advertising a Forester position, GS-0460-09/11. This is a full-time permanent position with the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Work Unit, one of four FIA Units across the country that comprises the national Forest Inventory and Analysis program. The FIA program is charged with conducting a nationally-consistent strategic annual forest inventory of the United States and its territories. Annual inventory results are widely used by public agencies, private companies and organizations to make informed natural resource decisions and policies.

Provides instruction/guidance to both internal employees and external clients regarding implementation of software and/or technology that is pertinent to a given project.

Other duties as assigned.

The purpose of this Outreach Notice is to determine the potential applicant pool for this position and to establish the appropriate recruitment method and area of consideration for the advertisement (e.g. Region-wide, Service-wide, DEMO). Responses received from this outreach notice will be relied upon to make this determination.

The Department of Forestry at Michigan State University, in collaboration with the USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station (NRS), is seeking a highly motivated post-doctoral researcher for a project investigating soil heating processes and the effects of soil heating on soil carbon, nutrients, seedbanks and hardwood regeneration. The researcher will be co-advised by Dr. Jessica Miesel (MSU) and Dr. Randy Kolka (USDA FS NRS) and will be responsible for coordinating, planning and conducting the field and laboratory components of the project, with assistance from field and laboratory technicians. Primary responsibilities will be focused on soil carbon and nutrient response to heating, however, opportunity will exist to participate in seedbank response, vegetation response, and/or soil heat flux modeling depending on interest. The post-doctoral researcher will be an integral member of an active research team and will be expected to develop independent research related to the overall goals of the project, to actively participate in publishing and proposal writing, and to contribute to mentoring student researchers involved in the project. The position will begin as a one-year appointment, with extension available to 2.5 years depending on satisfactory performance.

SUPERVISOR: Dr. G. Matt DaviesLOCATION: The Ohio State University, ColumbusDURATION: Negotiable; beginning as early as September 1, 2015, and extending as late as September 30, 2018.

Summary of Position:Dr. Davis is accepting applications for a Master’s student to participate in a project evaluating vegetation dynamics within the sagebrush steppe in eastern Washington. The position is fully funded for two years, includes an annual stipend plus tuition and fees and involves collaboration with researchers at the University of Washington. The successful student will also work with managers from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. The research aims to synthesize new and historical data to increase our understanding of how these communities respond to repeated wildfires and post-fire rehabilitation actions. The position will involve several months fieldwork in eastern Washington as well as the opportunity to develop analytical skills relevant to urgent conservation problems. The student will be expected to work closely with research collaborators to produce solid analyses and clear reports with succinct recommendations for land managers. In addition, they will produce compelling scientific articles for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Whilst contributing to the overall success of our Joint Fire Science Program funded study, the student will have freedom to develop their own, relevant research questions.

For a complete description of the opening and information on applying, click HERE.

The 2016 SERNW Regional Conference on ecological restoration will bring together scientists, restoration professionals, and government agencies involved in the practice and science of ecological restoration and management in the Cascadia Bioregion.

The Pacific Northwest (PNW) Research Station is seeking an exceptional employee for a permanent seasonal (18/8) Supervisory Forester position, GS-0460-11/12. The incumbent will manage field and laboratory research operations for the Fire and Environmental Research Applications (FERA) team. FERA is an inter-disciplinary team of scientists and professionals with expertise in forestry, combustion physics, and ecology devoted to improved understanding of the effects of fire and associated biophysical phenomenon. This position supports the research programs of six scientists and reports directly to the team leader. The position is located at the Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Laboratory (PWFSL) in Seattle, Washington.

Interested applicants should complete the attached form (found HERE) and return it, along with a copy of your resume, to Clint Wright (cwright@fs.fed.us) by August 17, 2015. Those desiring further information about the position may inquire via the email address listed above.

The Pacific Northwest (PNW) Research Station is seeking an exceptional employee for a permanent Research Biological Scientist position, GS-0401 grade 13/14, to lead the Fire and Environmental Research Applications (FERA) team. FERA is an interdisciplinary team of scientists and professionals with expertise in forestry, combustion physics, and ecology devoted to improved understanding of the effects of fire and associated biophysical phenomenon. The incumbent directs the FERA research program in fire science, and also conducts original research, integrated assessments, and model development to address science and management questions and issues for regional and national stakeholders within the scope of the FERA mission. The major objectives of the scientist’s research involve measuring and modeling fuels, and measuring, modeling, and interpreting the effects of wildland fire on a wide range of processes and functions in ecosystems across the United States. In addition, the scientist leads or collaborates on issues related to wildfire, fire effects, and fuels management, thereby developing a foundation for science-based fire management and policy throughout the United States. The position is located at the Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Laboratory in Seattle, Washington.

We are looking for an individual who:

• Is familiar with the issues and challenges associated with conducting fire-related research

Interested applicants should complete the attached form (found HERE) and return it, along with a copy of their resume, to Maureen Hyzer (mhyzer@fs.fed.us) by August 17, 2015. Those desiring further information about the position may inquire via the email address listed above.

The interagency Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) intends to request proposals through one or more formal Funding Opportunity Notice (FON) announcements beginning approximately September 15, 2014 and remaining open through November 13, 2015. The intent of this notice is to provide an early alert to investigators interested in the topics listed below so that investigators can begin considering responsive ideas with potential partners and collaborators.

Investigators should recognize that final decisions regarding topic selection will not be made until September, 2015, and that final topic selection is likely to differ from that posted here. One or more topics could be dropped or added, and the specific focus of individual topics may be altered. Investigators should recognize this uncertainty and not invest substantial time or resources working on proposals until the FONs are formally posted.

Investigators should not contact the JFSP Program Office or Governing Board seeking further information on these topics. No further information will be released until the FONs are formally posted.

Note that there will likely be at least four separate FONs. Potential topics directly and indirectly support the three goals of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy ('Cohesive Strategy'):

Restore and maintain resilient landscapes

Create fire-adapted communities.

Safe and effective wildfire response

FON 1 - Primary

A. Implications of changing ecosystems – selected regions

Evidence is abundant that ecosystems are shifting due to climate change, invasive species, and changing disturbance regimes and land use. The JFSP Governing Board is interested in proposals that broadly describe potential future fire regimes and their implications for fire and fuels management. This task will focus on interdisciplinary proposals that evaluate alternative future scenarios of ecosystem change and estimate indicators of fuel, fire regime, and fire effects on a regional basis.

This task will consist of two related components. The first component is a science assessment, which could include either research aimed at producing new knowledge, or a synthesis of existing knowledge. The second component is an integration and interpretation of this information in some form of operational scenario analysis depicting possible management options and their implications. Proposals must include both components. Investigators are highly encouraged to include fire, fuels, land, or resource managers on their team.

Note: the regions tentatively identified for proposals are the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, Northern Rockies, and Southeast US. There has not yet been a final determination, however.

It is widely recognized that the number of acres subject to prescribed fire has not kept pace with the demand of burning needed to meet resource management objectives. JFSP is interested in research that identifies the significant barriers (e.g. social, organizational, and regulatory) that limit successful implementation of planned prescribed fire treatments;, how barriers vary by factors such as region and agency; and successful strategies for overcoming identified barriers.

C. Restoration of sagebrush habitat in the Great Basin - operational applications

JFSP is interested in research about the effectiveness of vegetation treatments intended to protect or restore the diversity and productivity of sagebrush ecosystems in the Great Basin. This work will be in direct support to Department of Interior Secretarial Order # 3336.

Research questions will likely focus on two topics:

Treatment options that increase the resilience and resistance of sagebrush stands prone to invasion of annual grasses, or with an existing understory of invasive annuals

Treatment options to improve post-fire re-establishment of sagebrush and other desirable plants

D. Fire effects on tree mortality

Empirical models that predict mortality of trees from prescribed fire and wildfire are widely used for many purposes, but existing models were developed using data from a small number of tree species and a narrow range of conditions. JFSP intends to seek research on fire-induced tree mortality that will lead to predictive models that apply to a wider range of tree species, sizes, and fire conditions common in the United States.

Anecdotally, it appears that wildfire response strategies employing some form of managed perimeters with interior burn-outs (“box and burn”) are being used with increasing frequency. Multiple contributing factors may be at play, including actions taken to implement the 2009 wildfire policy guidance, air quality concerns over long-duration events, and firefighter safety. JFSP is interested in research investigating the effectiveness and effects of wildfire response strategies using managed perimeters with interior burn-outs. Research of interest includes a better understanding of the conditions favoring or dis-favoring the use of these strategies; the effects of these strategies on fire extent and severity; the effects on smoke concentration and duration; and the factors influencing the success of these strategies.

F. Post-fire landscape management

Observations suggest that some re-burns in recent (G. Regional needs

JFSP intends to solicit proposals to address regional management needs identified by three members of the Fire Science Exchange Network. Studies must be conducted within the defined boundaries of each participating Fire Science Exchange (see http://www.firescience.gov/JFSP_exchanges.cfm). Investigators will be expected to work with the participating Fire Science Exchange to assure research meets manager needs and has robust science exchange activities.

Proposals will be limited to a maximum of $200,000. JFSP expects to fund no more than two proposals per region.

Regional needs – Oak Woodlands & Forest Fire Consortium

Forest management practices that include prescribed burning have been increasingly used in recent decades throughout the Oak Woodlands & Forests Fire Consortium region to accomplish multiple objectives. Yet, little research has been conducted on the effects of prescribed fire on timber products (e.g., lumber grades, volumes) and subsequent economic value of forest stands. The Joint Fire Science Program intends to solicit proposals for field-based studies on the effects of prescribed fire on timber products in the region of the Oak Woodlands and Forest Fire Consortium.

Research over the past 15 years has revealed the critical role of fire in most Appalachian ecosystems, yet many challenges remain in implementing prescribed fire. Most fires are conducted in mid- to late winter, yet research has shown that few objectives can be met with a single winter fire. The Joint Fire Science Program intends to solicit proposals for field-based studies that examine the effects of prescribed fires in different seasons on short-term management objectives related to fuels and vegetation in the region of the Consortium of Appalachian Fire Managers and Scientists.

Regional needs – Southern Fire Exchange

Despite an extensive research and modeling base for understanding and predicting air quality impacts of prescribed burning in the South, many questions still surround the actual contributions of prescribed fire to smoke emissions. The Joint Fire Science Program intends to solicit proposals to use existing data from a network of air quality monitors throughout the South to determine the effects of prescribed fire and wildfire on particulate matter and ozone levels and how this compares to modeled smoke emissions.

FON 2 - Fire and Smoke Model Evaluation Experiment (FASMEE)

The Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP), in partnership with the DOD Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP), has initiated planning for the Fire and Smoke Model Evaluation Experiment (FASMEE). This experiment is being designed as a large-scale field campaign to develop novel measurement techniques and provide critical observational data necessary to evaluate and advance operationally used fire and smoke modelling systems and their underlying scientific models.

Because the intended scope and scale of this effort is beyond the capability of JFSP to effectively implement independently, a collaborative multi-agency approach is planned. Additional partnerships are being formed with NOAA, NASA, Forest Service, and EPA, including formation of an inter-agency FASMEE Coordination Committee

The JFSP fall 2015 FON will include an open solicitation for proposals to participate in FASMEE. The FON will have multiple task statements organized by research disciplines (e.g. meteorology, fuel, fire dynamics, emissions, plume dynamics, transport, and photochemistry). Final determination of these tasks will not occur until the FON are posted.

The proposals will contain two major components:

A proposal to combine observational experimental techniques with model sensitivity simulations to develop a rigorous experimental design for the field measurements

A pre-proposal to conduct field measurements and model evaluation analyses as part of the field experiment in 2018-2020

Requirements for both components will be detailed in a draft measurement and analysis specifications document currently in preparation.

Review, selection, and funding of selected proposals will be on an expedited schedule to ensure the necessary model sensitivity analyses can occur in 2016.

Investigators included in selected pre-proposals will be invited to work with the FASMEE leadership team to develop a detailed study plan to be completed by March 31, 2017. Final funding decisions for implementation of FASMEE will be made based on the final study plan.

The FASMEE field campaign will likely be conducted on four to eight large operational prescribed fires targeting heavier fuel loads and high intensity fire in forested sites in the western United States and lesser fuel loads and lower intensity fires in the southeastern United States. Agencies to host the project and candidate sites in the United States and Canada are currently under review. Treatments are planned for ignition in 2018-2020.

Individuals potentially interested in being investigators are invited to submit their name, research interests, and contact information via a template available at the FASMEE website (http://FASMEE.net). This information will be used by the FASMEE Leadership Team to gauge the scientific community’s interest in participation in the FASMEE project, guide the scientific goals of the project, and determine areas of potential collaboration. Completed templates should be sent to rottmar@fs.fed.us. Completed templates received prior to August 15, 2015 may help inform the final task statements to be posted in September.

Descriptive materials will be placed on the FASMEE website as they are completed.

The Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) is interested in sponsoring projects that explore and better define the concept of resilient landscapes. Proposals can include a wide variety of approaches to stimulate new and creative thinking regarding the concept, definition, management, and measurement of resilient landscapes. Investigators are encouraged to work in collaborative cross-disciplinary teams, including both ecological and social scientists. Proposals should directly involve fire and fuels managers in the proposed research, and demonstrate how the proposed activities will advance innovative thinking that enhances fire, fuels and resource managers’ abilities to achieve more resilient landscapes.

FON 4 - Graduate Research Innovation (GRIN) award

In partnership with the Association for Fire Ecology, the Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) will likely continue the Graduate Research Innovation (GRIN) program for current MS and PhD. students in the fields of wildland fire and related disciplines. JFSP recognizes that graduate students of today are the managers, scientists, and leaders of tomorrow. These awards allow graduate students to conduct research that will supplement and enhance the quality, scope, or applicability of their thesis or dissertation, and to build skills needed for independent inquiry.

Proposals must describe new, unfunded work that extends ongoing or planned research that is the subject of a thesis or dissertation that has been approved by the graduate student’s advisory committee. Proposals must be directly related to the mission and goals of JFSP to be considered, and must address management questions related to climate change, fire behavior, fire effects, fuel treatments, smoke or emissions, fire weather, or social issues and fire.

On June 29, 2015, the Department of Natural Resources announced the availability of another $1 million for wildfire risk reduction projects, through the Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant Program.

The Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant Program (WRRG), created under Senate Bill 269 and passed in 2013 by the Colorado General Assembly, focuses on projects that reduce the risk for damage to property, infrastructure and water supplies, and those that limit the likelihood of wildfires spreading into populated areas. Funds are directed to non-federal lands within Colorado. The fourth round of competitive grants was just opened, with an application deadline of August 28, 2015.

Two types of projects will be considered through this grant program:

Fuels treatment projects located in Colorado that reduce the risk of damage to property, infrastructure, water supplies, and other high-valued assets as a result of wildfire and/or limit the likelihood of wildfires spreading into populated areas.

Projects that address unmet needs for capacity at the local level. These grants are designed to provide communities with equipment that will enable them to treat hazardous fuels on state and private lands going forward.

You are invited to participate in a survey being conducted as part of a proactive effort to identify and solve issues of gender discrimination and sexual harassment in the wildland fire community.

The survey results will become part of a position paper that AFE is developing to assess the occurrence of gender discrimination and sexual harassment throughout the field of wildland fire management, education, and research at the global scale. Both women and men are strongly encouraged to complete the survey in order to obtain a balanced gender view. The results will also help shape the conference's opening plenary discussion, which will include invited speakers who will discuss this topic in detail. View the AFE Gender Survey Here.

The Burn Crew Member participates in wildland fire operations on Nature Conservancy or partner managed lands including ignition, control, mop-up, suppression, monitoring, and other tasks as assigned in the Southern Blue Ridge.

HOW TO APPLY

For more information about and to apply to this position, click HERE. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 31, 2015.

The PNW Research Station anticipates filling at least 2 field data collection crew leader positions in Acton, CA and Chico, CA with the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program.

About the positions:

These are permanent seasonal positions, consisting of 18 pay periods of full time work (April-November) and 8 pay periods of non-pay status per year. Appointees may be offered the opportunity to work longer depending on workload and funding. The positions are career ladder with GS-09 full performance level. Vacancies may be filled in any of the PNW-FIA satellite duty locations on an as needed basis.

The PNWRS FIA unit is part of a nationwide program which collects, processes, analyzes, evaluates, and publishes comprehensive information on forest and other related renewable resources. Administration for this Data Collection team is located in Portland, Oregon and field crews are remotely stationed throughout Washington, Oregon and California.

The positions will support work sampling field plots located on a systematic grid across all land ownerships and will be almost entirely field based. A wide variety of information is collected in the inventory, including: tree measurements; forest pathogens, understory vegetation composition and structure, stand treatments and disturbances, down woody material measurements, and land ownership. The areas sampled for the Forest Inventory by the PNW Research Station cover a diversity of ecological communities. Each crew covers a large area, and no matter where you work, you will see a wide variety of country.

Crew leaders work under the direction of a state coordinator and lead a crew of one to three people. Crew leaders have first line supervisory responsibility over their crew members including administering performance ratings, assigning work, and handling administrative tasks. After a one to two week training session, each crew will use maps, aerial photos, and GPS units to navigate to permanent plot locations.

Each crew travels frequently and independently within their duty station area, with travel away from home including motel/hotel stays, car camping, and occasional backpacking for a significant portion of the field season (40-80%). In all areas, work conditions are often arduous. Work may be performed in inclement weather (cold, heat, rain, snow) and on rugged, steep, slippery, and/or brushy slopes. Significant amounts of on-trail and off-trail hiking are required. Field crews must carry a 45lb pack daily, with pack weights sometimes exceeding 60lbs. Exposure to hazards such as poison oak, bears, and insects is common. Some travel by helicopter, stock animal, or boat is occasionally required.

Provides professional expertise in the development and implementation of multiple resource objectives. Develops fuels treatment alternatives adhering to applicable laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines. Evaluates individual fuels treatments, effectiveness of the overall program and makes recommendations for improvement. Responsible for the smoke management program to ensure compliance; coordinates with air quality officials in the development of operational procedures and reporting requirements.

Coordinates and develops interagency fuels strategies. Maintains awareness of technological developments in wildland fire science, collects information through a variety of methods, including field surveys, remains informed of state of the art computer modeling software and scientific methods that support fuels treatment planning. Participates in the development, review and modification of fire management plans. Serves as a member of an interdisciplinary team planning, developing, and implementing land management plans, compliance documents, and agreements.

Performing state of the art analyses on the spatial and temporal dynamics of disturbance and effects ecological systems. A major focus of the expected research program will be aimed at understanding the spatial dynamics of fire, fuels and fire effects on ecological processes. The candidate will be expected to develop a research program that exploits spatially explicit models such as cellular automata and other approaches, as well as expanding/improving existing models, such as LANDIS-II (Landscape Disturbance and Succession), in order to study ecological dynamics at multiple scales. The scientist must have a deep knowledge of the ecology of fire in fire dependent ecosystems such as longleaf pine and other coniferous forests. The candidate will be expected to develop, manage and analyze spatial data, especially those derived from thermal imagery, LiDAR and photogrammetry as well as creating and utilizing models in a computer programming environment, e.g., using Python, R, or MATLAB. The scientist will also develop a program that focuses on understanding disturbance mechanisms/processes and their effects on forest ecosystems, the impacts of multiple disturbances and feedback mechanisms, and develop strategies for reducing vulnerability of forests to severe disturbance events and climate change/variability. The scientist will be expected to develop her/his own research topics within the charter of the Center, pursue extramural funding and develop national/international collaborations to support these efforts. The scientist exercises the full range of supervisory responsibilities for permanent, term, and/or temporary employees, including student workers.

The position is on the staff of the State Administrator of the Division of Forestry and Wildlife in the Administrative offices in Honolulu, Hawaii. Servers as Program Manager for the Protection Program that is responsible for the implementation of protection protocols for forests and other areas under the management of the Division of Forestry and Wildlife. The Protection Program includes all phases of fire prevention, pre-suppression, and suppression for all forest reserves, game management areas, natural area reserves, surrendered lands, threatened and endangered species and unique ecosystems within the Division's jurisdiction.